, summoned at the behest of several Venture-Captains, the Head of Operations Oraiah Tolal, supported by Bjersig Torrsen and Khoumrock Blackthane, as well as Factions Leaders Calisro Benarry, Fola Barun, Urwal, and Valais Durant.
Character Introductions:
When introducing yourselves in your opening post, choose three Intro Questions below to answer (first spoiler). Then, please post your Proficiency and Modifier (plus any relevant Skill Feats) in the following skills that represent your Background Knowledge (second spoiler) corresponding to the Intro Questions you answered!
0) How did you arrive to this part of the Mwangi Jungle? Describe your Journey here!
1a) Inventory. Are you skilled in quarter-mastering for a large mission? How did you learn to be so?
2a) Magical Supplies. Are you skilled in keeping magical inventory for a large mission? How did you learn to be so?
3a) Mapping. Are you skilled in cartography for a large geographical area? How did you learn to be so?
4a) Morale. Are you skilled in organizing people for a large mission? How did you learn to be so?
5a) Repairs. Are you skilled in keeping equipment maintained for a large mission? How did you learn to be so?
6a) Research. Are you skilled in piecing together information for a large mission? How did you learn to be so?
1b) Do you know Urwal? Describe your last mission / encounter with him.
2b) Do you know Fola Barun? Describe your last mission / encounter with her.
3b) Do you know Bjersig Torrsen? Describe your last mission / encounter with him.
4b) Do you know Calisro Benarry? Describe your last mission / encounter with her.
5b) Do you know Khoumrock Blackthane? Describe your last mission / encounter with him.
6b) Do you know Valais Durant? Describe your last mission / encounter with her.
1c) Nature, Society, Survival
2c) Arcana, Nature, Occultism, Religion
3c) Nature, Survival, Perception
4c) Deception, Diplomacy, Performance
5c) Athletics, Crafting, Guild Lore
6c) Nature, Society, Survival
...
If you haven't already, please proceed to Discussion to complete the Check In.
Then, please proceed to Maps / Slides linked in Campaign Tabs and my DM Alias and post your Token in the Exploration Mode grid.
Finally, without further ado, let us dethrone the
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It was a long journey back to the Mwangi Jungle. She had not been back since she had spent some time there beginning to learn the ways of the Cascade Bearers and had learned a bit about blending arcane and natural magic. Now that she had grown a bit in power and knowledge, she had returned to the jungle on the way to her school.
Her white robes were as pristine as ever. Her faithful owl Boobo, groomed and preened himself on her shoulder. Her purple eyes shone with brightness and curiosity and her thick black hair, the black of the deep of midnight was immaculate, not one hair out of place.
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Haechi and Haetae eventually make it to the Mwangi Jungle camp as part of a company of Pathfinders that had set out from Absalom many weeks prior.
The ship's voyage across the Inner Sea had been uneventful, but things had gotten a little more interesting once they landed at Merab. Fortunately, the auction for the sun orchid elixir was being hosted elsewhere, so Merab was relatively quiet and they managed to arrange for transportation through the Thuvian desert to the southern border mountains without undue difficulty.
The trek across the desert was a different matter, and though they had given a wide berth to both the House of Oblivion and the Citadel of the Alchemist, they often found themselves beset by roving gangs of gnolls, mephits and the occasional giant scorpion. It was a great disappointment to Haechi that they had not encountered any of the reputed brass dragons that dwell in the desert, but he was quite pleased not to have run into Arantaros, as that would likely have ruined their whole day.
Once having made their way through the western passes of the Barrier Wall, they entered the Mwangi Expanse; quite a welcome difference compared to the deserts of Thuvia. They used boats to navigate the rivers through the jungle, and despite a few minor inconveniences such as rapids, waterfalls and the occasional curious river creature, it was a substantially more pleasant setting than the desert. This was especially true for Haechi whose tough scales the ravenous insects of the jungle could not seem to pierce; his companions though were generally not so lucky.
During the voyage, Haechi took it upon himself to keep everyone's morale up with the telling of stories he'd accumulated from his extensive research on dragons. He would also arrange impromptu performances based on scenes from the many productions put on by the theater groups in Absalom to which he belonged. He would direct the other members of the company as bit players in these performances but would always take on the leading role himself. His reprise as the Watcher-Lord Ulthun in the wonderful goblin production of We be Heroes was particularly well received.
Once in camp, Haechi spots his faction leader Calisro Benarry and thinks back to the last time he'd had any direct dealings with her. It was last year at the Grand Lodge; at a celebration for initiates that had passed their confirmation tests and become fully-fledged Pathfinders. She'd sent Haechi and some of the other new Pathfinders to recover a friend of hers from Statue Street at great personal peril.
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Siddhartha has been travelling far and wide for the Society recently. His last two missions took him to the the ocean near Jalmaray and Iobarian Forest. The sea journey to and from Jalmaray were not difficult, but the journey northeast to Iobaria was long and arduous. The journey to the Mwangi allowed him to travel through his second home in Osirion, past the Ruins of Kho and westward across the northern part of the Mwangi Expanse until he finally reached the camp with his travelling group
When he finds VC Bjersig Torrsen, they reminisce for a few moments about the long sea voyage to Arcadia to establish a Pathfinder Lodge in Vallenhall on the lands ceded to the Society by Linnorm King Sveinn Blood-Eagle, as well as the Balgirdtrek race across the Land of the Linnorm Kings.
Siddhartha then starts going through the existing maps of the area, using his experience in Scouting and the history of War to identify key landmarks and routes so maps with the keys points can be distributed to multiple groups.
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James arrived here at the Mwangi Jungle by surprise. His ex-girlfriend wanted to make up for the hurt she caused him. So she decided to leave him her at the Mwangi Jungle. She blind-folded him, drove him here on horse and buggy and dropped him off, thinking he must belong here, or he'd like it here.
After all, James is wild, so he belongs here in the wild. At least he can repair things that need repaired, after all, with no Mr. fixits in the Jungle, he will have to be the Mr. fixit. He learned how to craft and repair things only from the best blacksmiths.
James isn't sure what kind of mission or fun he will have here, he is just glad to have Fola Barun's contact information. After all he made the smart decision to switch factions into Envoy Alliance after that last encounter. She convinced him, they have a lot to offer.
Pathfinders hurry around the makeshift camp, packing and unpacking supplies, making repairs, and scribing scrolls. The atmosphere is excited but tinged with some trepidation. Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal from Nirmathas takes the lead, ensuring everyone has an assignment and is working on it. A religious symbol of Alseta—goddess of doorways, portals, thresholds, and transitions—hangs from her neck, showing two faces in profile.
The murmur around camp, as well as the converging collections of caravans, solo travelers by foot or horse or beast, yet others by water-bourne vessel or canoe, finally arriving here from many different directions, indicate that there will be at least another hour or so before any major undertaking are begun. Some greet old friends, others get right to work helping out, yet others enjoy the momentary rest before everything starts spinning into forward motion.
The cool morning air is hummid, foliage soaking up the sun's intense rays, and the open jungle beckons with the sounds of insects and other fauna, setting a backdrop of a din behind any silence; gentle but persistent hissing, cricking, creaking, croaking, clicking.
Which Venture-Captain or Faction Leader will you talk to?
What will you say?
When you walk up to Calisro Benarry, what will you say?
When you walk up to Bjersig Torrsen, what will you say?
When you walk up to Fola Barun, what will you say?
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Greetings, Venture Captain Torrsen. It is good to see you again. I hope you have been doing well since our return from Arcadia. How can I help in our preparations for for this expedition?
He makes sure to make eye contact and speak directly to VC Torrsen, since he hasn't developed any expertise in Torrsen's sign language.
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Haechi makes his way across the busy camp and approaches his faction leader, Calisro Benarry. From the kobold's reduced perspective, Calisro was an imposing presence, and he always felt a little anxious around her.
Catching her attention, he gives her an awkward salute. "Um, Good day to you faction-leader Benarry. You may not remember me, but uh... I am Haechi of the Horizon Hunters at your service. Yes indeed... um, at your service, ma'am! If there's anything you need... anything at all... I am your man, uh... I mean, kobold. Ha ha." After a small nervous laugh he stops, and assuming a submissive posture, waits for orders from his ferocious looking leader.
Greetings, Venture Captain Torrsen. It is good to see you again. I hope you have been doing well since our return from Arcadia. How can I help in our preparations for for this expedition?
He makes sure to make eye contact and speak directly to VC Torrsen, since he hasn't developed any expertise in Torrsen's sign language.
Lirall, the polyglot gnome, interprets Torrsen's signing per usual "King Sveinn Blood-Eagle sends his regards - the lodge is underway - I am excited to spread our great organization north!"
Makhi runs up to the monk and sniffs him curiously...
How did your team fare during the Balgirdtrek - did they manage to become champions?
And what was the verdict for Without Trace or Fail?
...
Haechi makes his way across the busy camp and approaches his faction leader, Calisro Benarry. From the kobold's reduced perspective, Calisro was an imposing presence, and he always felt a little anxious around her.
Catching her attention, he gives her an awkward salute. "Um, Good day to you faction-leader Benarry. You may not remember me, but uh... I am Haechi of the Horizon Hunters at your service. Yes indeed... um, at your service, ma'am! If there's anything you need... anything at all... I am your man, uh... I mean, kobold. Ha ha." After a small nervous laugh he stops, and assuming a submissive posture, waits for orders from his ferocious looking leader.
Benarry kneels, putting the two of them at even height "Betcha didn't think I could fit into a dress?" her eyes squint to communicate the joke - she did not wear a dress at the ball "Ruined me best boots I did. And you. Not one for formal attire either, I presume?"
The kobold's awkwardness is smoothed over by the captain's recognition of him and cavalier attitude "If we make it through this, maybe they'll have another one?"
She reflexively reaches for a flask in her coat pocket, then seems to think the better of it "Tell me: I know nothing of real theatre, but word around camp is that your portrayal as Watcher-Lord Ulthun has stricken terror in the hearts of your audience... I must know... are the rumors true?"
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The elven wizardress makes her way to Fola Barun. Speaking in Elvish she states
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When Benarry kneels to speak to him, Haechi takes a half-step back in surprise. If anything, she's even more impressive up close, and the kobold is momentarily at a loss for words. She'd apparently remembered their fleeting last encounter, which was another surprise. "Ah... yes... I mean, um... no, ma'am. I'm afraid that we kobolds are not much for clothing, formal or otherwise. We let our scales do most of the talking, so to speak, ha ha." Another nervous laugh.
Though slightly taller than the average kobold, Haechi is still quite small by Human standards. Unlike most of his brethren, his scales are not a random mottled coloration but are instead an almost unvarying gleaming bronze. His claws and eyes provide the only contrast, being the bright turquoise-green color of bronze patina. He usually wears a long hooded dark-brown cloak tied at the neck. His torso is covered by a sleeveless hunter-green leather jerkin that leaves his shoulders and arms bare. From his waist hangs a mid-thigh length leather skirt of a similar color. His legs and feet are bare.
At her praise of his thespian skills, Haechi blushes, though you were unlikely to notice this unless you were another kobold. Nevertheless, like most actors who trod the boards, Haechi was always happy to receive good reviews. "Well... generous praise indeed. I try my best to tap into the true nature of my roles, and Ulthun is indeed a powerful character. Why, ..." He is always happy to talk about the joys of acting and the theater, and is about to launch into a long discourse on the relative merits of the basic theatrical forms when he feels a sharp jab on his shoulder.
Haechi flinches. With a pained expression he turns his head to face his familiar. "Ow! What's the problem now? Oh, ah... It appears that I've forgotten to introduce my little friend here. This is Haetae." He then leans slightly toward Benarry and cupping his hand around his mouth, whispers, "Please feel free to ignore anything she says; she tends to be in a bad mood much of the time."
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Haetae is a small bronze-colored winged lizard, though to the untrained eye, she might be mistaken for a miniature bronze dragon. When not snoozing or hiding in Haechi's backpack, she's usually found hanging off one of his shoulders to get a better view of what her master was getting up to.
Keeping her master alive and out of trouble was Haetae's main job, or at least that's the way she saw it. She knew that the minutiae of the theater were of little interest to the average person, so when she realized that her master was about to bore the venture-captain with a long-winded dissertation on the subject, she decided to distract him by digging her claws into his shoulder and whispering something into his ear.
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1a-6a Anjo doesn't feel skilled in any of those areas.
3b All the Venture captains are forgetable to Anjo, but he might have met Benarry at a newbie party for Pathfinders when she tagged his group to determine investigate a moored ship, or maybe it was to investigate a haunted house. Anjo isn't sure.
3c Nature +9, Survival +11, Perception +10
Anjo has little trouble setting up his few belongings for camp as he makes his way around and introduces himself: Ranger, human, Garundi, bow. Those were the high points.
"Greetings Mistress Barun, I am Avonathathalasa Caldon, of Kyonin but also a student of the Magabayaan magical tradition. I am recently arrived from Absalom and see that there might be trouble afoot and would like to offer my magical skills to prevent or hinder what ever might be taking place"
Fola Barun returns in elvish "A student of the arcane and primal traditions, I see! You must be a materialist at heart" the magic joke hangs in the air a moment "I was wondering if you could help me organize our Magical Supplies over here, dear?" she points to a mess of jumbled scrolls, wands, spellhearts, and other glowing items piled into a box labeled "unidentified" but which lingers nearby several other boxes that are well-organized and tidy "Lots to do!" she adds and begins her work!
...
"Hey nice to see you? What did my ex-girlfriend tell you about me? Actually what is our mission?"
Khoumrock Blackthane makes his way over "You look handy - sorry about your ex-girlfriend - mind helping me with these Repairs that need being made?" an entire tent has been dedicated to broken swords, shields, pieces of armor, torn leathers, snapped bowstrings "This pile is highest priority - tools are over there" the dwarf points towards one corner of the tent.
...
Siddhartha will rub Makhi's head absentmindedly as he talks.
Bjersig Torrsen unravels a map onto a table crowded with them "As Balgirdtrek Champion, you'll have no trouble helping me here" Lirall announces as the Venture Captain begins unrolling yet another map and slides a compass, protractor, and other Mapping tools the monk's way, signing "Here, let's transcribe these two together..."
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Haechi flinches. With a pained expression he turns his head to face his familiar. "Ow! What's the problem now? Oh, ah... It appears that I've forgotten to introduce my little friend here. This is Haetae." He then leans slightly toward Benarry and cupping his hand around his mouth, whispers, "Please feel free to ignore anything she says; she tends to be in a bad mood much of the time."
Calisro suppresses a yawn at the extended explanation, and redirects "Maybe you can put on a show for us?" she shrugs "Gotta raise the Morale of our troops somehow - know what I mean?"
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Anjo has little trouble setting up his few belongings for camp as he makes his way around and introduces himself.
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Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal begins making her rounds - checking to make sure everyone here is engaged in preparations!
□ Anjo w/ ?? to ?? @ ??
□ Avona w/ Fola Barun to Magical Supplies @ ??
□ Haechi w/ Calisro Benarry to Morale @ ??
□ James w/ Khoumrock Blackthane to Repairs @ ??
□ Sid w/ Bjersig Torrsen to Mapping @ ??
...
□ Allied Offensive by ?? @ ??
□ Burst of Healing by ?? @ ??
□ Timely Inspiration by ?? @ ??
□ Provide Knowledge by ?? @ ??
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"Venture Captain Torrsen, I am afraid I am not familiar with the symbols used on these particular maps. Is there a legend I can consult?"
About 20 minutes into the task, Torrsen notices the critical mistake "Yep - we've got it upside down - and are going to have to start over" and he begins folding up the maps, erasing a few marks, and sighing...
Meanwhile, James produces his own set of tools and gets fast to work, drawing an appraising look then satisfied nod from the dwarf...
□ Anjo w/ ?? to ?? @ ??
□ Avona w/ Fola Barun to Magical Supplies @ ??
□ Haechi w/ Calisro Benarry to Morale @ ??
☑ James w/ Khoumrock Blackthane to Repairs (Crafting) @ 20
☑ Sid w/ Bjersig Torrsen to Mapping @ 8-
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Haechi visibly brightens at the opportunity to put on a short performance for the troops. The very prospect had already raised his own morale sky high and he hoped to do the same for his colleagues. He gives another salute. "Aye, aye, captain. Your word is my command." Turning away from his faction leader, he retires to prepare. As he walks away excitedly, he turns to Haetae.
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When Calisro had suggested that her master put on a performance, Haetae rolled her eyes. She knew that he would now become insufferably cheerful as he went about his preparations. Despite his apparent query as to her opinion on the matter, Haetae already knew that the playlet they would be performing was predetermined. It would be Ulthun in We be Heroes yet again no matter what she said. In a bored tone, she responds.
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When Haetae mentions doing We be Heroes, Haechi nods vigorously. He'd pretty much already decided on a reprise of his best part, but it was always good to receive a second opinion, especially when it matched his own. Without a trace of irony, he replies.
Haechi ignores the small groan from his familiar and without further ado goes about his preparations. They ended up putting on several abbreviated performances of We be Heroes for the rest of the Pathfinders in camp, with Haechi once again reprising his now legendary (in his mind at least) performance as the Watcher-Lord Ulthun.
The performances were quite well received, guaranteeing that it wouldn't be too long before Haetae would once again be donning her goblin costume for an encore.
The performances were quite well received, guaranteeing that it wouldn't be too long before Haetae would once again be donning her goblin costume for an encore.
Indeed it was, and indeed it wouldn't!
A few other thespian-pathfinders - and a decent proportion of goblins! - emerge to breath life into the impromptu performance - one particularly excited goblin "borrows" a sword that James had just fixed! - and hands it to Haechi. A crowd gathers, and at first Oraiah Tolal looks to interrupt and get folks back on task - but seeing the glow in their eyes, decides the better of it, instead approaching the draconic duo later to praise them "A little Hope in a time like this cannot be discounted" touching his shoulder, and smiling to him, before putting herself back to work.
□ Anjo w/ ?? to ?? @ ??
☑ Haechi w/ Calisro Benarry to Morale (Performance) @ 25
☑ James w/ Khoumrock Blackthane to Repairs (Crafting) @ 20
☑ Sid w/ Bjersig Torrsen to Mapping @ 8-
...Each PC can roll on each prep mission...
□□□□□□ Anjo @ Inventory (??), @ Magical Supplies (??), @ Mapping (??), @ Morale (??), @ Repairs (??), @ Research (??)
□□□☑□□ Haechi @ Inventory (??), @ Magical Supplies (??), @ Mapping (??), @ Morale (25), @ Repairs (??), @ Research (??)
□□□□☑□ James @ Inventory (??), @ Magical Supplies (??), @ Mapping (??), @ Morale (??), @ Repairs (20), @ Research (??)
□□☑□□□ Sid @ Inventory (??), @ Magical Supplies (??), @ Mapping (8-), @ Morale (??), @ Repairs (??), @ Research (??)
1) Inventory @ ??
2) Magical Supplies @ ??
3) Mapping @ ??
4) Morale @ (25, Success, Haechi) @ Morale Chip (each PC +1 circumstance to one check 1/adventure) (□□□□)
5) Repairs @ (20, Success, James) @ Cold Iron Ammo (each PC gets one set of Cold Iron ammo (x10)) (□□□□)
6) Research @ ??
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At Oraiah Tolal's praise, Haechi blushes. "You are too kind, venture-captain. I hope we did not interrupt the preparations unduly with our impromptu production." Like all actors, Haechi could never get enough praise for his performances.
Looking about, he notices that the camp is still very busy with the preparations, but he is at a loss as to the purpose of all this great effort. Whatever it was, it was big! Anything that could bring this number of faction leaders together in one place had to be something big.
He approaches each of the groups in turn and offers his services.
The Party begins amassing a collection of resources!
Urwal thanks Anjo by handing him a spare crate of alchemicals - and slithers off without a word. Fola Barun thanks Haechi and hands him some potions "For if you get in a pinch". Bjersig Torrsen shakes James' hand and hands him a heavy scroll case, rolling the large map into it, and nodding. Calisro Benarry points to the goblins running around the camp reciting lines from "We Be Heroes" and winks at Haechi. Khoumrock Blackthane hands James several quivers of shining ammunitions, asking him first what weapons his team is likely to carry, and meeting the order to specification. Finally, Valais Durant rests herself on the shoulders of both Anjo and Haechi, and tearing out a page from her journal, hands it to Haechi.
The DC for each of these is 18
☑☑☑□☑☑ Anjo @ Inventory (26), @ Magical Supplies (22), @ Mapping (18), @ Morale (no), @ Repairs (23), @ Research (29)
☑☑☑☑☑☑ Haechi @ Inventory (23), @ Magical Supplies (27), @ Mapping (10), @ Morale (25), @ Repairs (20), @ Research (29)
☑☑☑☑☑☑ James @ Inventory (18), @ Magical Supplies (18), @ Mapping (25), @ Morale (8), @ Repairs (20), @ Research (15)
☑□☑□☑☑ Sid @ Inventory (21), @ Magical Supplies (no), @ Mapping (8-), @ Morale (no), @ Repairs (18), @ Research (11)
1) Inventory @ (26, Success, Anjo) @ Preventative Elixirs (each PC gets a choice between a Lesser Antidote or Lesser Antiplague) (□□□□)
2) Magical Supplies @ (27, Success, Haechi) @ Curative Draught (each PC gets a single Lesser Healing Potion) (□)
3) Mapping @ (25, Success, James) @ Clever Atlas (the party recieves a Survey Map for one chosen encounter in Part 1, declared beforehand) (□)
4) Morale @ (25, Success, Haechi) @ Morale Chip (each PC +1 circumstance to one check 1/adventure) (□□□□)
5) Repairs @ (20, Success, James) @ Cold Iron Ammo (each PC gets one set of Cold Iron ammo (x10)) (□□□□)
6) Research @ (29, Critical Success, Anjo + Haechi) @ Fullproof Research (once during the adventure, instead of rolling, one PC automatically succeeds to Recall Knowledge) (□)
...
You've got Aid Token!
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**AID TOKEN: Timely Inspiration**
**Original Source**: GM Sedoriku's Table Tier 5-6
**Aid Character Name**: Herondal Lapetty
Effect: A fellow Pathfinder grants the benefits of a bard’s inspire courage focus cantrip to all PCs for13 rounds (a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects).
**Boosted?** Yes
**Boost Effect**: Increase duration by 2 rounds.
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At camp she notices a few familiar faces. She shivers as she recalls the bounty Calisro sent her team on. The only thing worse than jungles was forging a path in the Menador Mountains. And helping the Chelaxians still felt weird. Hopefully, she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of Calisro again.
And another odd mission with Valais Durant - working with a Sczarni smuggling ring to help people escape Edasseril. She seemed to be collecting odd missions.
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Everyone gathers around a makeshift stage as the sun starts to slip below the horizon. Pathfinders whisper to each other in anticipation.
Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal addresses the group. “Pathfinders, our expedition begins tomorrow. We have a day’s travel to reach the site where we will find the Door of Seasons. The founders of our Society may have been unable to reach the realm that lies beyond this magical gateway, but we have something they lacked.” The Venture-Captain holds a verdant crown aloft. “This is the Perennial Crown, an artifact that will serve as the key to opening the door. I hope that Alseta will bless us as we find this doorway to a new place. From what we’ve been able to gather, there’s a demiplane on the other side. The demiplane and the crown alike are closely tied to the Thorned Monarch, Qxal, an evil fey who once terrorized this region. The Pathfinders who recovered this crown faced steep opposition from the Monarch, and I have no doubt they will defend the Door of Seasons even more fiercely. Be wary any fey you see along the way; they are likely to be working for Qxal. Stay in groups of four or more for safety and help each other. Make any final preparations that you require and get a good night’s sleep; your next few nights will be on the trail. We leave an hour after dawn.”
Day breaks, and the excitement around the camp is too high to allow any Pathfinder to oversleep. Agents perform morning rituals, eat breakfast, and take a final look through maps and plans. Venture-Captain Oraiah Tolal gathers everyone together one last time. “I know that we’ve prepared well. We’re going to stop this Thorned Monarch. I have a small gift for each of you: a signal whistle with an engraving of the Perennial Crown. Use it to signal your fellow Pathfinders if you need help. And now, into the wilderness!”
A dwarven man in armor reminiscent of a metal diving suit sets his helmet in place as a half-orc woman in a tricorne hat lends a hand. She ponders, “I like your style, Blackthane, but isn’t this a little more suited to underwater?” Khoumrock Blackthane responds, “It’s good armor still, and I’ve made a few adjustments so it works better on land. I’ve come out of retirement for the sixth time, and I’m going to be comfortable.” Calisro Benarry responds, “Can’t argue with that. I’m always comfortable.” She turns to address the gathered Pathfinders. “Pathfinders, we’re setting out. Our goal is a horizon that no one of this world’s ever seen. But Qxal is aiming to make sure we don’t get there. Everyone, stay sharp and work together.” Blackthane adds, “And mind your equipment!”
Calisro Benarry angrily corrects a map with red ink. “That blasted fey! They’ve added hazards to our planned route. We’ll need to chart a new course, but be careful; Qxal has left us a lot of surprises.”
Obstacle One
Thick undergrowth blocks the path forward! Gnarled bushes with serrated spines cut your clothes, massive tree roots block thoroughfares, swarms of nasty critters whizz to and fro... progress forward seems impossible, but the venture captain beckons you forward!
Athletics, Acrobatics, Nature, Survival.
The DC is 20.
Two Success (or one Critical Success) is needed.
Everyone must roll once for each per Obstacle.
...
Obstacle Two
Beneath your feet, above your head, at your flank, spontaneous popping spores spray poisonous gas from ruptured pockets, bursting forth to assail your orifices... progress forward seems impossible, but the venture captain beckons you forward!
Medicine, Nature, Survival, Perception.
The DC is 20.
Two Success (or one Critical Success) is needed.
Everyone must roll once for each per Obstacle.
...
Obstacle Three
All around you, there is a steady wind that slowly increases, dispersing mist, causing the migration of birds and insects, when suddenly, a torrent of powerful gusts threaten to knock you each from your feet and smash you into trees, the ground, eachother... progress forward seems impossible, but the venture captain beckons you forward!
Athletics, Nature, Survival, Stealth.
The DC is 20.
Two Success (or one Critical Success) is needed.
Everyone must roll once for each per Obstacle.
...
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Before bed, Thellira finds a training dummy and waves over a friend she last saw almost being eaten by the lions of Katapesh. The sparring quickly turns to reminiscing and before long, Thellira and Dahros are forced to turn in.
Thellira steps up beside James, swinging her meteor hammer like a sickle. It's surprisingly effective and she's able to crush enough foliage to forge a path.
She's so happy at her early success, however, that she fails to notice the gassy spores until one explodes in her face.
Gasping, Thellira welcomes the fresh air until it begins to slide her backward across the ground. With a yell, she tumbles to the ground.
Anjo (□□□)
Haechi (□□□)
James (☑☑☑) @ CS*, S, F
Sid (□□□)
Thellira (☑☑☑) @ S, F, CF*
If the party survives, the path forks: Heading southwards towards a River , or eastwards towards a Clearing ...
Anjo @ ??
Haechi @ Detect Magic holding ??
James @ Search holding ??
Sid @ Search holding ??
Thellira @ Scout holding ??
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Obstacle One
Haechi looks at the nasty bushes with their sharp spines and blanches. "Oh dear. Oh dearie me. Perhaps we should turn back and look for a more feasible route; this one is clearly impassable. No? This is the only way? You're absolutely sure?"
The wizard sighs. He is not at all surprised that this mission will once again involve him trekking across an inhospitable wilderness filled with things trying to kill him. He was so ill-suited to this type of mission that he wonders if the Society bureaucracy had once again mistakenly selected him instead of the similarly-named Hetsky, the half-orc barbarian. Yes, that must be it; he couldn't imagine a less appropriate candidate for this mission than himself. A more paranoid individual might suspect that someone in the Society hierarchy was intent of doing away with him.
Haechi sends a small prayer to Apsu, and mustering all the draconic will he can from his heritage, crosses the undergrowth by lightly hopping from root to root, trying to avoid the worst of the spines in the process. Thank The Maker that the insects at least were no great irritant.
Haetae, almost mockingly unfurls her wings and takes to the air. She follows her master across the dangerous undergrowth from a comfortable height, calling down words of halfhearted encouragement.
Obstacle Two
Seeing the poisonous gas burst out from the ruptured pockets, Haechi slams his jaws shut and covers his snout with his hand as he races through the venomous clouds intent on melting his insides.
Haetae once again takes to the air and flies high enough to avoid all the nasty poisonous gasses.
Obstacle Three
As the wind increases, Haechi ducks behind a tree for cover. In the relative calm between the powerful gusts, he quickly moves to the cover of the next tree and waits for another opening. In this way, he progressively works his was forward.
Haetae decides to sit this one out in Haechi's backpack, though given the buffeting she experiences, she sometimes wonders if perhaps she should have taken her chances in the air.